Intolerant gays attack Obama's choice to lead prayer

The Rev. Rick Warren, a conservative evangelical pastor, has been tapped to deliver the invocation at President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration – and gay rights advocates are not happy about it.

The Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies announced today that Mr. Warren, of Saddleback Church in Orange County, Calif., and author of “The Purpose Driven Life,” would lead the opening prayers at the swearing-in ceremony. Though he is a prominent figure among religious conservatives, Mr. Warren invited Mr. Obama to speak at an 2006 AIDS summit he held at his mega-church, over the objection of abortion foes. Now, Mr. Obama is facing sharp criticism from part of his base for inviting Mr. Warren.

“Let me get right to the point. Your invitation to Reverend Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at your inauguration is a genuine blow to LGBT Americans,” wrote Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, in a letter to Mr. Obama today.

“And by inviting Rick Warren to your inauguration, you have tarnished the view that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans have a place at your table,” Mr. Solomonese continued, adding that Mr. Warren had spoken out strongly in favor of a successful gay marriage ban in California and “has often played the role of general in the cultural war waged against LGBT Americans.”

...

It appears that those asking for tolerance have become the most intolerant people in America.

How would these people react if Warren or his congregation objected to the appearance of any gays in the inauguration? Warren may not approve of the gay life style or gay marriage in particular, but he is not intolerant of gays speaking their mind or going about their business, and gays need to respect others who disagree with their point of view on marriage.

Pushing a vendetta against those who have a different point of view is not likely to win them any converts. I know it makes me have less respect for the intolerant among them.

It is unseemly. I would add that Obama does not support gay marriage either, so it should not be surprising that he would be comfortable with a minister who doesn't. Warren is certainly a step up in intelligence and demeanor from Rev. Wright anyway.

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